Welcome to Plano City News, your weekly update

on what's happening in the City of Plano.

Silver Line Community Design Plan Consultant Contract Increased

Major items approved during the Nov. 7 City Council Meeting were:


Cotton Belt Regional Trail

The City of Plano and the North Central Texas Council of Governments have entered into an interlocal agreement for the Cotton Belt Regional Trail. This trail is parallel with Dallas Area Rapid Transit's Silver Line, a 26-mile commuter rail line. The trail improvements will be from the President George Bush Turnpike to Shiloh Road and include at-grade trail segments, signals, crossings and bicycle/pedestrian bridges at Plano Parkway and Jupiter Road. The City of Plano is required to provide a local match of $1.7 million and will receive $23,935,329 in constructed Cotton Belt Regional Trail improvements through the grant programs administered by the NCTCOG.


Silver Line Station Area Plan and the Community Design Plan

The $90,000 design consulting services contract was approved to almost double the amount of the contract for this community-supported design plan. To create the best plan, we need residents to participate in the process. This extra investment focuses on community outreach efforts that include small group meetings, larger public meetings and visioning sessions. Residents and property owners will be invited to provide input to develop a community consensus for community-supported design standards, development of illustrations and design concepts for the plan.


Public Works Facility Master Plan 

This $542,000 plan focuses on the Public Works Service Complex that includes construction yard, storage areas, the Gerald P. Cosgrove Operations Building, the Fleet Services Building, Warehouse, Parkway Parks Maintenance Facility and the Environmental Education Center. The Gerald P. Cosgrove Operations Building has not had any major renovations since it was originally constructed in 1992.


Part of the approved 2021 Bond Referendum included minor renovations to Operations and Fleet buildings. Before those projects happen, we are performing a needs-based evaluation of the existing facilities to determine the proper amount of yard space, office space, bay space and workshop space needed for the future. The evaluation considers other potential elements such as areas dedicated to: landscape/yard debris operations, training space and the potential for additional in-house work. The proposed master plan includes a full analysis of the existing buildings to identify the most cost-effective implementation of improvements. The plan may show a need to acquire additional property if the existing property cannot adequately support the long-term functions of the City. The master plan is anticipated to develop a phased approach to consider the best use of funds.


Residential Concrete Pavement Repair Zone L8 North 

Bound by Hedgcoxe Road, Alma Drive, Prescott Drive and Mullins Drive to Baxter Drive, this is a $4.4 million project. Neighbors will see repairs to 23,500 square yards of residential concrete street and alley, 138,000 square feet of sidewalk and 183 barrier free ramps.


The next regular City Council meeting is Monday, Nov. 27 at 7 pm. The agenda becomes available after 5 pm on the Wednesday leading up to the meeting. Watch the meeting live on FacebookYouTube or PlanoTV.org.


Find City Council agendas online at Plano.gov/Agenda.

Don't Forget Shop Small on Nov. 25

Small businesses are a vital part of our community! On Saturday, Nov. 25, celebrate Shop Small Saturday by visiting a Plano small business.


If you are a small business owner, tap into the free resources and training opportunities at the Plano Public Library. Make a Thursday appointment with a Dallas SCORE Mentor for business advice.

Stop Costly Plumbing Clogs from FOGs

Don’t let fats, oils and grease (FOGs) ruin your family's holiday feasting. Unexpected pipe problems do not only cost you money, but also consume valuable time better spent with loved ones. Avoid the drama of a plumbing crisis by following these simple tips:  


  • Never pour cooking fats, oils or grease down your sink drain, including items like butter, mayonnaise and frosting.  


  • Wipe small amounts of fats, oils or grease from pots and pans with a paper towel, then toss the towel in the trash. Use cold water to rinse the pots and pans! 


  • Collect smaller amounts of used, cooled cooking oil in a sturdy, plastic container with a screw-top lid. Trash the container when it's full.  


  • Schedule a free pick-up for one or more gallons of cooking or turkey fryer oil. Collect it in a container with a secure lid and call Environmental Waste Services at 972-769-4150 to recycle FOGs into bio-diesel fuel.  


Most sanitary sewer overflows are caused by the accumulation of fats, oils, grease and wipes in the sewer system. The solution starts in your home. The only things that should be going down your pipes are soap, pee, poo and toilet paper.  


Don't be a drain on your holiday; protect those pipes and spend time enjoying family not dealing with plumbing repairs!  Learn other ways to protect your pipes.  

Don’t Let Holiday Foods Harm Your Pet

White fluffy dog and black and white cat stare at plate of the owner's food on the kitchen table

Before your dog or cat darts across the floor to snatch a tasty holiday morsel, learn which foods hold the biggest dangers. A pet’s delicate digestive system is nothing to mess around with. 


Here's a handy guide:  


  • Chocolate is toxic.  


  • Anything sweetened with xylitol can be poisonous.  


  • Keep unattended plates of food out of reach and secure the lids to your trash bin.  


  • Keep fatty or spicy food away from pets.  


  • Plain turkey is non-toxic to dogs and cats. When turkey has butter, herbs or spices, it can lead to pancreatitis.  


  • Ham and other pork products can be high in sodium and nitrites, which lead to vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination, lethargy and abnormal fluid accumulation.


  • Dressing or stuffing made with onions, scallions or garlic can be extremely toxic to dogs and cats.  


  • Bones can cause severe indigestion, obstruct the bowel, or splinter and damage the intestines and stomach.  


  • Mashed potatoes with butter and milk can cause issues for lactose intolerant pets. Add garlic and the "taters" are toxic.  


  • Alcohol can kill your pet.  


  • Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in pets.


  • And while we're at it, make sure to keep lilies and other holiday flowers away from your pets.


If you cannot control what drops to the floor, put your pet in another room until the feasting and cleaning is over. Discover other winter holiday pet safety tips.  

Happenings

Stop by Lights at Legacy on Sunday


Sunday, Nov. 19

4-7 pm


The Shops at Legacy

5741 Legacy Dr.


Bring the family out for a fun night of live entertainment and a tree lighting. We're celebrating the season. Stop by our booth! The event is funded in part by the City of Plano.


Get the schedule.

Thanksgiving Holiday

Service Hours


Thursday and Friday

Nov. 23-24


Plano Municipal Center is closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 23-24. Some City facilities or services have altered hours. If Thursday is your trash day, it will be collected the Friday of Thanksgiving week. 


Before you head to your favorite recreation center or pool, check current openings.


Find the schedule of City holiday hours.

No Plano City News Thanksgiving Week


While you are busy baking pies, basting the turkey and entertaining guests, we'll be taking a short break. The next issue of Plano City News arrives in your inbox on Tuesday, Nov. 28.


Thank you for reading and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Plano Holiday Market


Saturday, Nov. 18

9 am-5 pm 


Sunday, Nov. 19

11 am-4 pm 


Carpenter Park

Recreation Center

6701 Coit Road


Find tons of holiday-themed goods made of fabric, wood, ceramic, glass and more.


Stop by and shop! 

Dickens in Downtown Plano


Saturday, Dec. 2 

4-9 pm  


Downtown Plano Arts District 

901 E. 15th St.  


Mark your calendar for Plano's annual holiday celebration. Gather the family for the real snow slide, a coffee and cocoa walk, food, fun, shopping and photos with Santa. This year Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will join us to mark their 40th Anniversary. We'll share more details later this month. 


Don't miss this Plano tradition.

Register for Winter and Spring Recreation Classes 


Opens Saturday, Dec. 2,

8 am (Plano residents) 


Monday, Dec. 4 (nonresidents) 


Dance, meditate, brush up on computer skills, camp under the stars, hike or learn to paint. Get a jump start on spring break camps. Explore these opportunities and more in the Winter-Spring 2024 Recreation Catalog.


Register through Plano Recreation Online

Turkey Fryer Safety: Keep the Family Safe This Holiday Season

Thaw the Turkey, Don't Burn the House Down!


Did you know Thanksgiving Day is the day with the most cooking fires each year? Frying accidents account for over 1,000 fires. Get turkey frying safety tips from Plano Fire-Rescue Lieutenant Daniel Daly. Keep you and your loved ones safe this holiday season!


Subscribe to the City of Plano YouTube channel for other great videos on City services and programs.

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